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8.19.2009

The Beets / The Virgins / Animal Collective DJ @ Santos

Santos Party House is an amazing place. The atmosphere is immediately welcoming. It has the most fabulous sound system. Few can compete because this place was specifically designed for musicians and listeners. Also a great place to hold a benefit for a good cause to save a neighborhood Indie video store Cinema Nolita.

The Santos Party House sticks to a schedule. To my dismay I took my sweet time and strolled the four blocks to arrive around 9:00 only to see The Beets on stage playing their final song to an appreciative engaged crowd.

I caught them at CMJ in 08 and loved their set. So I approached them after the set with apologies and asked them a few questions about the upcoming tour with Vivian Girls and their feelings about playing at Santos. My lead in should read; The Beets Had A Sound Check!! Seriously that is a big deal and in this place sound checks are worth doing, because it works. They have been playing outdoors, DIY events, beaches, rooftops and unofficial all age shows. Although that is a great way to see music it is not always the best way to really hear it. The sweetest thing to watch were all the patrons complimenting the band on their set. I Informed them that they were the lead in picture at the Brooklyn Vegan segment "What's Going On Monday". As they embark on a tour with Vivian Girls starting August 25th they have a very positive experience to draw on. I love the mix of all girl and all boy bands on the same bill.

I rarely see group like The Virgins. I came out to see The Beets and usually concentrate on emerging talent. I thoroughly enjoyed their fantastic seamless set. Tight and focused is what I have to say. The front man and lead singer Donald Cumming was barefoot wearing optical leggings and a tee. His long lean body in constant motion showing off his less then fluid geeky ballet gestures. It was endearing. The guitarist broke out occasionally exaggerating a long strum with an extended arm or an occasional knee dip.

They played a mashed up disco/ new york / new wave with edgy catchy hooks. At first I felt like everything sounded repetitive but they scaffolded and built energy with the electric leads, some Reggie beats and funk. I liked when Cumming's sang alone and pulled out an unexpected harmonica. Slowly the others weighed in. The very enthusiastic female crowd including me took it all in. They have a great European fall tour doing major festivals with one detour in Texas at Austin City Limits.

Animal Collective DJ (Avey Tare and Geologist) set started out with little fan fare. It's possible that during a restroom break I might have missed the introduction. When I returned they were busy in the DJ loft to the right of the stage. The surroundings were transformed and the large disco ball rotated in the center of the space with fog and laser lights. They started with a very long psychedelic song with animal like screams sporadicallyinterspersed between rhythms. The twisted remix of standards like "Rock Lobster" (pretty sure) and Abba "Take A Chance On Me" were catching on and the groove was setting in. When suddenly their set was hijacked by an unexpected appearance of by The Film director Abel Ferrara and crew. They took the stage and played raw rock & roll with Abel having a propensity for course street grime rap. the stage became crowed with all the female hosts connected with Cinema Nolita, including the lead singer of The Virgins.

Animal collective sat this one out checking cell phones and sitting on the stairs to the upper loft. After the three song set they began again. Not sure how it turned out I left after the next song I knew it would take some time for a groove to set in again.